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Celtics Dispatch Cavs at Ease

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The Boston Celtics further asserted themselves as the East's most superior through a straightforward takedown of Cleveland as their former star point-guard Isaiah Thomas watched on from the sidelines

The Boston Celtics further asserted themselves as the East's most superior through a straightforward takedown of Cleveland as their former star point-guard Isaiah Thomas watched on from the sidelines.

Amidst the biting night air of Beantown, there was an electric atmosphere in the confines of the TD Garden, with a play-off feel for the game as LeBron James and Cleveland rolled into town. The King wasted no time in making his mark, driving coast-to-coast and topping off the lay-up with a spin move.

Similar plays by the three-time NBA champion were scattered throughout the first quarter, as was some magic from his former teammate Kyrie Irving - who had a nice reminder of what he was missing out when JR Smith nailed a three-pointer even with the point-guard right in his face.

Image: Vox Media

Marcus Smart drilled a shot from beyond the arc as the Celtics began to see more daylight appearing in the scoreline. Terry Rozier ended the first quarter with a bang, pulling up with a three with just over a second left on the clock.

Kyle Korver was a welcome addition off the bench for the third quarter, on the mark with a cluster of three-pointers running off the screen. The Cavaliers were already cranking up the pressure in an attempt to dent the lead, although the likes of Marcus Smart and his teammates found the net with three-pointers of their own to keep the 2016 champions at bay.

Image: cdn.NBA.net

Kyrie Irving was the obvious focus of the Cavaliers' defence who often double-teamed him, which is why he was so thankful for the rare chance he had that was open, taking the mid-range jump. Celtics closed out the first half in powerful fashion, stealing from the inbound pass for Rozier to dunk - although Cavaliers would squeeze out the clock for all its worth, when JR Smith's deep three pointer kept the game in some range after 24 minutes, where Boston lead 55-47.

Having been unable to truly shrug the opposition of their backs, Boston went for the jugular at the very start of the third quarter. Jayson Tatum was feeling it when he followed up from banking in the midrange to dishing it out to Horford in the corner - and if that wasn't enough, at ease he pulled up from outside the arc and hit a triple as well. His compadres were doing their job in the meantime, as Brown and Horford were on the money with their shooting.

Still, the Cavaliers weren't going away. While Boston continued to sustain them at an arms length, LeBron's three point play and Korver's shot eventually lead in to an 11-2 run. But that didn't seem to make much of a difference, and when Irving displayed some exquisite dribbles before a bounce pass to Horford in the paint, the writing was on the wall - then highlighted by a fast break, when Jaylen Brown finished a reverse dunk in the clear path. Boston went into the final quarter with a comfortable 13-point cushion.

Image: Boston Herald

Momentum was carried through by Tatum to the fourth, as Boston oozed confidence and flexed their muscle. The lead was up to 20 after a Smart three and would continue to rise as Cavaliers surrendered for the remainder of a routine final few minutes. At the buzzer, a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Terry Rozier lead the scoring with 20 points, for a Celtics team who shared out the stats - and a unit of players who truly asserted themselves at the top of the East.